Health Systems Comings and Goings

The following have been reported as retiring, leaving, or joining the major health systems and providers in the US.

NLN CEO Joins United States of Care Founder’s Council
The National League for Nursing (NLN) (@NLN), the nation’s oldest nursing association, announced that its CEO has accepted an invitation to join the Founder’s Council of the United States of Care, a nonpartisan organization that works to ensure equal access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The NLN’s Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, is part of a cohort of twelve whose appointment, effective immediately, has expanded the Founder’s Council from 59 to 71 members.

America’s Physician Groups Welcomes Valinda Rutledge as Vice President of Federal Affairs
America’s Physician Groups (APG) (@AmerPhysGrps), the leading association in the country representing physician organizations practicing capitated, coordinated care, announced the appointment of Ms. Valinda Rutledge to Vice President of Federal Affairs. In this position, Ms. Rutledge will lead APG’s federal legislative and regulatory activities in Washington, DC, and will report to Don Crane, APG President and CEO.

Senate Confirms Robert Wilkie as Next VA Secretary
Senators overwhelmingly approved Robert Wilkie as the next Veterans Affairs (@DeptVetAffairs) secretary, but the move came with political dissent for the first time in the department’s 30-year history. The final vote of 86-9 wasn’t enough to seriously jeopardize Wilkie’s chances of taking over as the 10th VA secretary.

West Health’s Bill Earley Appointed to California Commission on Aging
Bill Earley, the chief administrative officer and general counsel at West Health (@WestHealth), has been appointed to the California Commission on Aging (CCoA) by the Senate Rules Committee, with President pro Tempore of the California State Senate Toni Atkins leading the appointment as chair of the committee.

Health Leads Appoints Jennifer Valenzuela as Managing Principal of People and Equity
Increasing its commitment to addressing systemic causes of health inequity and disease, Health Leads (@HealthLeadsNatl) announced the promotion of Jennifer Valenzuela to the new position of managing principal of people and equity. In this new role, Valenzuela brings nearly 20 years of inclusive healthcare leadership experience and a lens for addressing structural racism to ensure Health Leads is a leader in health, equity, fairness and inclusion — both internally and with its health system and community partners.

Spectrum Health Names Tina Freese Decker as New President and CEO
Spectrum Health (@SpectrumHealth) announced that its System Board of Directors has appointed Tina Freese Decker as the health system’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. Freese Decker has been with Spectrum Health since 2002 and most recently was executive vice president and chief operating officer for the organization. She will assume her new responsibilities on September 1.

Walmart Names Humana Veteran to Run Its Health and Wellness Unit
Walmart Inc. (@Walmart) has hired a former senior executive at insurer Humana Inc. to run its health-care business, a move that could reignite speculation that the two companies will forge a closer partnership.

Lorrie A. Carr Appointed as CEO for Excelera
Excelera has announced the appointment of Lorrie A. Carr as its new CEO. Ms. Carr succeeds Jim Fox who retired effective April 2. She assumed her responsibilities on July 9th.